SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
3 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125
San Francisco, CA 94102

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Minutes 

Visual Arts Committee Members:

JD Beltran
Gregory Chew
Dorka Keehn, Chair
Jessica Silverman
Barbara Sklar

1.            Call to Order, Roll Call, and Agenda Changes

Commissioners Present:
President Beltran
Commissioner Chew
Commissioner Silverman

Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Keehn, Chair
Commissioner Sklar

The meeting commenced at 3:04 p.m. Commissioner Silverman chaired the meeting.

2.            Public Comment
Discussion

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. Karla Jones asked when the public would be granted access to an online database of the Civic Art Collection. Program Director Susan Pontious said it was tied with the launch with the Arts Commission’s new website. Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny said that a launch date was not currently set, but would be able to provide that information in the future.

3.            Consent Calendar
Action

1.            Motion to pay Ian Huebert a licensing fee of $3,000 to reproduce his artworks Fog and To Market on aluminum panels for installation at General Hospital Acute Care Unit.

2.            Motion to approve Waterfall, a mosaic mural, by artist Kim Jenson that will be installed on the 47 step stairway in Kenny Alley located between 4941 and 4945 Mission Street. The project is sponsored by the San Francisco Parks Alliance and funded with a Community Challenge Grant.

3.            Motion to rescind Resolution Number 1102-15-314, which authorized the Director of Cultural Affairs to approve the selected fabricator, Magnolia Editions, for artist Clare Rojas’s Central Subway Chinatown Station public art project, as recommended by the Central Subway Chinatown Station Rojas Artwork Fabricator Selection Panel, and to approve Magnolia Editions’ subcontract of $139,560 to be assigned to Clare Rojas’s contract with the City for this artwork commission.

4.            Motion to approve Magnolia Editions as the selected fabricator for artist Clare Rojas’s Central Subway Chinatown Station public art project, as recommended by the Rojas Artwork Fabricator Selection Panel, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to modify Clare Rojas’s contract to increase the amount from $94,750 to $330,135 (an increase of $235,385) for the artwork design, fabrication, transportation and consultation during installation.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar items.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

4.            Moscone Parking Garage
Susan Pontious and Jessica Shaefer, Sites Unseen, Inc.
Action

Ms. Pontious introduced Jessica Shaefer or Sites Unseen Inc. to present the proposed sites on the Moscone Parking Garage for murals by Barry McGee. She explained that Ms. Shaefer was not seeking design approval at this time, but requires Arts Commission approval of the site in order to move forward with the project.

Ms. Shaefer stated that Sites Unseen Inc. is an organization that will activate seven alleyways in the Yerba Buena District with public art projects. The organization is sponsored by the Yerba Buena Community Benefit District (“YBCBD”) and includes a robust committee of stakeholders to oversee the artwork program. She explained that the Moscone Parking Garage was identified as a site for a mural by Barry McGee, which will mark the inaugural project of the organization. Ms. Shaefer noted that the Garage is owned by the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority and they are very enthusiastic about the project. She showed the proposed location for the mural in detail, as well as some initial designs.

President Beltran stated that although she was once hired as a consultant by the YBCBD, she is not involved in this particular project.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve Sites Unseen, Inc.’s proposed site for a mural by Barry McGee on the west end of the Moscone Parking Garage. Sponsors will return for final approval with artist’s completed design and application materials as per the Arts Commission’s mural approval guidelines
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

5.            SFAC Galleries
Meg Shiffler
Action

Galleries Director Meg Shiffler presented the artists selected for new installations at the SFAC Grove Street Window Installation Site: Carrie Hott, Ma Li and Josh Faught. She noted that 2016 is likely to be the last year of programing at that site due to impending real estate development on that block.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve artist honoraria in the amount of $2000 for each of the following artists: Carrie Hott, Ma Li and Josh Faught. The honoraria are for artist research and development of new installations for the SFAC Grove Street Window Installation Site at 155 Grove Street.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

6.            Central Subway
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Senior Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn reported on the progress of Leslie Show’s artwork for the Central Subway Yerba Buena/Moscone Station ticketing hall wall. The artwork will measure approximately 30 feet in width and will be panelized using organic lines and natural breaks in the composition. The artist chose to translate her artwork into glass and has been working with a fabricator on a series of mock-ups that experiment with different materials and techniques. Ms. Lovvorn showed several samples that demonstrate the direction the artwork is moving towards.

Commissioner Chew asked how the artwork would be installed. Ms. Lovvorn said the panels will be mounted to a frame system affixed to concrete.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the glass fabrication samples by Leslie Shows for the artwork, Face C/Z, for Central Subway Yerba Buena/Moscone Station ticketing hall wall.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

7.            General Hospital Acute Care Building
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn presented the completed artworks by Tom Otterness and Cliff Garten installed at General Hospital Acute Care Building. She described the bronze, multi-part artwork by Tom Ottterness installed along the pedestrian entryway on Potrero Avenue. She described the stainless steel, mulit-part artwork by Cliff Garten installed at the entry drive turnaround. Ms. Lovvorn noted that Cliff Garten’s artwork also includes landscaping and programed LED lighting.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve as installed the completed multi-part artwork entitled Mother with Children with Hearts (2015), by Tom Otterness for General Hospital Acute Care Building. The artwork is installed along the pedestrian entry on Potrero Avenue between 22nd and 23rd streets and consists of eight bronze sculptures.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to approve as installed the completed multi-part artwork entitled Ethereal Bodies (2015), by Cliff Garten for General Hospital Acute Care Building. The artwork is located in the entry median and consists of eight vertically aligned steel formed sculptures with sequenced LED lighting and the surrounding planted earthwork.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

8.            San Francisco International Airport

A.            Re-Allocation of Art Enrichment Funding
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious proposed to re-allocate Art Enrichment funds on the SFO Campus to sites that have more public access. She noted that SFO would like use the funds to create additional artworks for the hold room walls in Boarding Areas A and G. Ms. Pontious showed images of hold room artworks that were installed in 2000, and agreed that SFO’s suggested approach would be a great addition to the site.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve re-allocation of Art Enrichment funds generated by Fire Station #3 ($204,800); the Ground Transportation Unit relocation ($168,845), and Building 624 ($115,000) for use elsewhere on the SFO campus, due to lack of public access to for mentioned projects. Alternate use of these funds will be used for new commissions for hold room walls in Boarding Areas A6 and G92. G95 and G96.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

B.            Terminal 3 East
Justine Topfer
Action

Project Manager Justine Topfer presented artworks as installed at San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East: a cedar sculpture by Ursula von Rydingsvard, a photogram series by Vanessa Marsh, and a photographic montage series by Sanaz Mazinani.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve as installed Ocean Voices II (2013), a cedar sculpture by Ursula von Rydingsvard at San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 3, close to the entrance to Boarding Area E.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to approve as installed Everywhere All at Once (2012-14), a series of six photograms by Vanessa Marsh at San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 3, Gate 71B.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to approve as installed Forever in the Sky (2013), a series of six photographic montages by Sanaz Mazinani at San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 3, Gate 71A.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

C.            Terminal 1 Temporary Boarding Area B
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer reported that the peephole cinema, to be installed at SFO Terminal 1, Temporary Boarding Area B, will include graphic design to be fabricated by local sign painter Jeffery Canham. She noted that the hand painted elements are meant to delineate the project from other graphics at SFO.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with artist Jeffery Canham for an amount not to exceed $9,900 for the graphic design to support the peephole cinema at San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1 Temporary Boarding Area B.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

9.            Balboa Pool Improvement Project
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented a summary of the final selection panel and proposal recommended for the Balboa Pool Improvement Project. She explained that the Panel met recently to interview three finalists: Benicia Gantner, Jason Jägel, and Lordy Rodriguez. After discussion and voting, the Panel selected Jason Jägel’s proposal to be commissioned at the site. Ms. Chou presented the proposal, noting that it will be executed in a paint the fuses to the substrate and has proven to be very durable. 

Commissioner Silverman, who participated on the Panel, commented that Jason Jägel’s proposal demonstrated an understandable connection to the neighborhood and its residents, created an expansion of space with its perspective, and would appeal to people of all ages. She felt the artwork would be a great success.

Ms. Chou explained that David Hooper, the community representative on the Panel was unable to attend the meeting. She introduced Mr. Hooper to state his thoughts on the selected proposal.

Mr. Hooper commented that Jason Jägel’s proposal reflected the activity of the pool and the surrounding community. He thanked the panel and artists for their efforts.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the artist Jason Jägel and proposal for the Balboa Pool Improvement Project as recommended by the Artist Selection Panel.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with artist Jägel for an amount not to exceed $58,200 for design, fabrication, transportation and installation of an artwork for the Balboa Pool Improvement Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

10.          Public Utilities Commission Storm Drain Murals
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn presented the preliminary designs by Jenifer K. Wofford for the PUC Storm Drain Mural Project. She reminded the Commissioners that the artist was commissioned to create six designs, three of which were previously approved. Ms. Lovvorn showed the artist’s work, a series of images that illustrate animals found in the Bay and the types of garbage that contribute to pollution.

Mr. DeCaigny asked if the project was specific to the Mission Bay neighborhood, or if there were plans to extend it. Ms. Lovvorn said that the project was currently being implemented in the Mission Bay neighborhood as a pilot. And, if successful, the project could potentially be expanded citywide to all areas that have storm drains which directly empty into the Bay.

Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve three preliminary designs by Jenifer K. Wofford as part of her series of six murals for the PUC Storm Drain Mural Project. The other three designs were approved as part of the artist selection process.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

11.          New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

Commissioner Chew commented that the Noe Valley Town Square project had begun.

Commissioner Silverman announced that she curated a show at fused space with work by Leo Villareal, opening on January 21, 2016.

Ms. Topfer thanked Commissioner Chew for attending the walking tour of the Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series.

12.          Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:17p.m.

ZT 1/26/2016

Notices

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost.

For assistance, please notify Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

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如需協助，Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita.

Para asistencia, notifique a Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si a Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.